Rise of the She-Wolf

Vanessa’s pov,

Maggie looked back and forth between Colin and me before she ran to him and hugged him.

“That is wonderful news dear. I am so happy for you both. I told you there was a woman out there who could be your equal.”

Colin smiled and looked at me over his mother’s shoulder, “Don’t plan the wedding yet mum. Vanessa seems to be under the impression that she despises me.”

Maggie looked at Colin warmly, “She just needs some time to get to know you.”

I stared at them with an open mouth, “UHM HELLO I AM RIGHT HERE. I can speak for myself thank you. I can assure you that I have no intention to get to know a man that is clearly full of himself and on top of that apparently a mommy’s boy.”

I angrily stood up and walked out of the room. I heard Annie say jokingly, “I like her! She can see you for the piece of shite you are Colin.” One of his brothers replied, “Not fair, why does Colin always get the most beautiful women?”

Ugh, what the hell was I even doing here? Playing happy family with these people I barely knew. I should be home taking care of business. I heard footsteps behind me and saw Colin walking toward me. I turned to face him, ready to give him a piece of mind if he dared to reprimand me. His eyes just twinkled naughtily, and he said, “I am sure you are tired. Let me show you to your room.”

I looked at him perplexed, “You aren’t going to tell me to behave or something like that?”

He raised his eyebrow, “Why would I? I like you exactly the way you are. I would be a fool trying to tame you and frankly, it would be stupid. You should be free and wild. That is the only way to find your true potential.”

I had no idea what to make of this guy. I never met someone like him before. Normally arrogance went hand in hand with the desire to rule and control all. Which left 3 options. He was either a rare exception, he was lying, or he was badshit crazy.”

He showed me my room and left without any more stupid comments. The room was beautiful with wooden furniture and big windows looking out over the lake. I was kind of exhausted but as soon as I lay in bed Spirit started raging at me.

“Why are you rejecting him? What is wrong with you? He is our mate!”

I sighed, “I don’t care Spirit. He is arrogant and self-centered and everything I do not want in a man. Besides even if he was perfect, I am not interested in being claimed. I am my own person; I do not need to be owned.”

Spirit growled, “The moon goddess matched you. By declining you are dishonoring your heritage.”

I rolled my eyes, but Spirit just kept going, “I can smell him all the way over here. We need to go there and let him claim us. We need to mate with him!”

I put a pillow over my head trying to shut Spirit out who was just howling on and on like a dog in heat. I couldn’t even have a normal conversation with her anymore. What the hell happened to my intelligent wolf?

The next morning, I woke up still feeling exhausted thanks to Spirit. I put on a warm woolen sweater, jeans, and leather boots that were laying ready for me. Colin left a note under my door that said I could eat with Ron if I needed a bit of quiet time. He would meet me in front of the house at 9. I felt relieved that I did not have to eat with the whole family immediately again. Ron and I enjoyed a full plate with toast, bacon, sausage, eggs, and haggis. When it was 9, I went out feeling as round as a barrel. Colin was waiting for me behind the wheel of one of his old-timers. I stepped in and asked, “No chauffeur?”

“No Lass, I might have a lot of money doesn’t mean I have to become a fat and lazy turd,” he said before he drove away with slipping tires. I did not know if he was just a reckless driver or just terrible but I feared for my life the whole drive. He took me to see the racing tracks that he owned, telling me all about how he became successful, but I barely listened because I was too busy petting all the racing dogs. After that, we visited a couple of pubs and he let me taste some local beers. I had to admit that everywhere we came everyone was happy to see Colin. I did not know if everyone was so scared of him that they were playing a role or that they were genuinely happy to see him like he was a friend.

He also showed me to his little brother’s rum lab. Donny proudly handed me his latest creation. I took a sip and had to spit it all out, “My god it tastes like piss.”

Donny stared at me like a sad puppy and my cheeks flushed, “Sorry Donny, I meant it is too strong for my taste.”

Colin laughed and clapped his brother’s shoulder, “She is just being polite now lad. It is absolutely shite, but we have a new recipe now. Go work on that and maybe soon we will have the first bottle of Donny O Laddie Rum ready.”

Donny’s face lit up with pride when he heard that his name would be on the bottle, and he hurried back to the lab. Colin winked at me, and I could not help but smile. After that, we drove back to the mansion where Colin grabbed a bag from the kitchen before heading to the stables.

“What’s in the bag?” I asked.

“Thought we could have a nice picnic. Can you ride?”

“Yes, I can.”

“Good, wait here,” Colin said, and he headed inside the stables. He came back with a beautiful Palamino mare, and I quickly walked toward him to stroke the mare’s head.

“I thought you could ride Melys,” he said.

I smiled happily and took over her halter, “Yes, please. She is gorgeous.”

Colin gave me a suave look, “Beautiful horse for a beautiful woman.”

I rolled my eyes and tied Melys to a pole so I could brush and saddle her. Colin disappeared and later came back with a tall brown horse, “This is my horse, Radish.”

I chuckled, “The big bad alpha Colin names his horse Radish? What is your dog’s name? Twinkletoes?”

Colin laughed, “Less joking more brushing, lass.”

10 minutes later we both mounted the horses and left the mansion. I actually had a good time and Colin was a good rider. It was beautiful to gallop through the fields and hills with the cold air hitting my face. We galloped up a large hill and on top, Colin stopped his horse to look at the surroundings. I stood next to him, and he pointed at all the different villages telling me that he owned this and that.

“You are quite full of yourself, aren’t you?” I asked.

He smiled cheekily, “You call it arrogant; I call it being proud of what my family and I accomplished starting with nothing.”

I stared at him for a few seconds and then blurted out, “Ow bollocks.”

Colin grinned, “Becoming Irish already I see, love.”